Hidden Gem: Oxford Bus Museum


When you’ve lived in a county for 20+ years, and the county town or city for over 3 years, it’s always a surprise to discover new places to visit.  The latest find, thanks to a friend who drove past it and let me know, is the Oxford Bus Museum.

oxford bus museum

Yes, there is a bus museum.  It shouldn’t really be a surprise given the number of buses driving around Oxford, but these were buses ranging through the decades.

The Oxford Bus Museum, is actually in Long Hanborough, a village just outside Woodstock.  It’s not a massive place, so visiting the museum in the morning then going on to Woodstock for lunch makes a pretty good day out.

The buses on display range from 130 years ago to the present day.  If your children are like most, they’ll want to get on every coach, and there’s a great opportunity to look inside most doorways, if not go in.

With displays and photography from local people, the bus museum covers everything about buses…signs, uniforms, workers, engines, chassis and more.

bus and road signsCatering for all ages, there’s a children’s activity area, along with a bus they can pretend to drive and ride on.  We didn’t partake in the activity trail, but you can look out for the fun questions as you walk round.

driving the oxford bus museum cut out

If you think you’re up on the Highway Code, then why not try and guess the road sign quiz.  Embarrassingly I did get quite a few wrong.

road sign quiz

There’s a children’s area, with colouring and activity books, some seating, and a small bus for them to drive.  We got taken on holiday by my son.  We also spent some time on and off some retro 1980s coaches, just like those we used to go to school on.

1980s coaches at the bus museum

As well as the buses, there’s a Morris Motors part to the museum.  That means vintage cars, tractor and an area for bicycles through the years.  We whizzed through that area as you so often do with young children, but there’s plenty to see – I could easily see if taking a few hours to go round looking in detail.

morris motors exhibitionWhat many people want is to get on the vintage bus rides.  The bus only drives a few miles down the road, but the volunteers give everyone on the bus a traditional bus ticket, and there are photo opportunities afterwards, or at the turning point.  Great fun and everyone enjoyed the ride.

vintage bus in oxfordWe ended off our trip with refreshments at the cafe.  When I say cafe, imagine a driver’s break stop.  It’s basic, but really cheap. Handy if you just want a cup of tea and Kipling cake before heading off into Oxford or Woodstock for lunch somewhere.

Museum entry costs £4.50 for adults, £2.50 for age 3-16, with family entry at a bargain £10.

 

 

 

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Farmer's wife (with obligatory Aga and Hunter wellies) and mum of a 6 year old boy based near Banbury, Emma blogs about the trials and tribulations of having a child when she's not really a baby (or child) person, including life on and off the farm. She loves her camera, dancing, reading, and too much chocolate! Blogging at http://bubbablueandme.com and https://whataboutdance.com

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2 Comments


  1. I hadn’t heard of it but I think mine would love it; all that clambering about on the buses. I love the photo you have of your LO ‘driving’ the bus.

    We’ll try and pop by, although or weekends are already busy in the run up to Christmas!

    Reply

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